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Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO) Fundamental Analysis & AI Grade 2026

FLO NYSE Food and Kindred Products GA CIK: 0001128928
Updated This Month • Analysis: May 22, 2026 • SEC Data: 2026-04-25
Combined AI Grade
C
80% Confidence
AGREEMENT
C
78% Conf
B
82% Conf

📊 FLO Key Takeaways

Revenue: $1.6B
Net Margin: 2.7%
Free Cash Flow: $87.2M
Current Ratio: 0.77x
Debt/Equity: 1.32x
EPS: $0.20
AI Grade: C with 78% confidence
Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO) receives a C fundamental grade with 80% confidence from our AI analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $1.6B, net profit margin of 2.7%, and return on equity (ROE) of 3.2%, Flowers Foods Inc. demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Consumer sector. Below is our complete FLO stock analysis for 2026.

Is Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO) a Good Investment?

Claude

Flowers Foods exhibits significant financial deterioration with flat revenue (0% YoY), a catastrophic 65.8% EPS decline, and critical liquidity constraints evidenced by a 0.77x current ratio. Combined with elevated leverage (1.32x debt/equity), minimal cash reserves, and weak returns on capital, the company faces operational and financial stress despite positive free cash flow.

ChatGPT

Flowers Foods shows solid cash-generation capacity, with $446.20M of operating cash flow and $319.09M of free cash flow despite flat revenue. However, the sharp decline in net income and EPS, combined with thin 3.3% operating margin, weak liquidity, and elevated leverage, points to pressured profitability and limited balance-sheet flexibility. Fundamentally, the business appears stable but not strong enough to justify a more bullish view until margin recovery is clearer.

Flowers Foods Inc. Key Strengths (FLO)

Claude
  • + Positive free cash flow generation of $87.2M annually demonstrates core operational cash conversion
  • + Established packaged food brand portfolio with 5.1% operating margin in competitive sector
  • + Adequate interest coverage ratio of 3.2x supports continued debt service capability
ChatGPT
  • + Strong operating cash flow and free cash flow generation relative to revenue
  • + Large, established revenue base with flat top-line performance indicating demand resilience
  • + Positive profitability with equity still generating a modest 6.4% ROE

FLO Stock Risks: Flowers Foods Inc. Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Critical liquidity position with current ratio of 0.77x and quick ratio of 0.57x; cash reserves of only $11.5M against $1.7B long-term debt creates financial fragility
  • ! Massive 65.8% year-over-year EPS decline combined with stagnant revenue signals operational deterioration and margin compression
  • ! Excessive leverage (1.32x debt/equity) with weak profitability (2.7% net margin, 3.2% ROE) limits financial flexibility and recovery capacity
ChatGPT
  • ! Net income fell 66.2% year over year, indicating significant earnings pressure
  • ! Current ratio of 0.75x and quick ratio of 0.54x reflect weak near-term liquidity
  • ! High leverage with 1.35x debt-to-equity and only 2.3x interest coverage limits financial flexibility

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Working capital trends and current ratio recovery toward 1.0x or higher
  • * Revenue growth acceleration and gross margin stabilization from flat performance
  • * Debt reduction rate and leverage ratio improvement to support financial stability
ChatGPT
  • * Operating margin and net margin recovery
  • * Interest coverage and debt reduction progress

Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$1.6B
Net Income
$42.1M
EPS (Diluted)
$0.20
Free Cash Flow
$87.2M
Total Assets
$4.2B
Cash Position
$11.5M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.

FLO Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 5.1%
Net Margin 2.7%
ROE 3.2%
ROA 1.0%
FCF Margin 5.6%

FLO vs Consumer Sector: How Flowers Foods Inc. Compares

How Flowers Foods Inc. compares to Consumer sector averages

Net Margin
FLO 2.7%
vs
Sector Avg 8.0%
FLO Sector
ROE
FLO 3.2%
vs
Sector Avg 18.0%
FLO Sector
Current Ratio
FLO 0.8x
vs
Sector Avg 1.5x
FLO Sector
Debt/Equity
FLO 1.3x
vs
Sector Avg 0.8x
FLO Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Flowers Foods Inc. Stock Overvalued? FLO Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Flowers Foods Inc. shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
3.2%
Sector avg: 18%
Net Profit Margin
2.7%
Sector avg: 8%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
1.32x
Sector avg: 0.8x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

Flowers Foods Inc. Balance Sheet: FLO Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
0.77x
Quick Ratio
0.57x
Debt/Equity
1.32x
Debt/Assets
0.0%
Interest Coverage
3.24x
Long-term Debt
$1.7B

FLO Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

FLO 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $4.4B, Net Income $164.5M, EPS $0.78. Year 2022: Revenue $4.8B, Net Income $152.3M, EPS $0.72. Year 2023: Revenue $5.1B, Net Income $206.2M, EPS $0.97. Year 2024: Revenue $5.1B, Net Income $228.4M, EPS $1.07. Year 2025: Revenue $5.3B, Net Income $123.4M, EPS $0.58.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Flowers Foods Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 20% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $0.58 reflects profitable operations.

FLO Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
5.6%
Free cash flow / Revenue

FLO Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Flowers Foods Inc. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q1 2026 $1.6B $42.1M $0.20
Q3 2025 $1.2B $39.5M $0.19
Q2 2025 $1.2B $58.4M $0.28
Q1 2025 $1.6B $53.0M $0.25
Q3 2024 $1.2B -$46.7M $-0.22
Q2 2024 $1.2B $63.8M $0.30
Q1 2024 $1.5B $70.7M $0.33
Q3 2023 $1.2B $40.5M $0.19

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Flowers Foods Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$107.9M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$3.8M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$20.6M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$54.4M
Returned to shareholders

FLO SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Flowers Foods Inc. (CIK: 0001128928)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Jun 8, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →
Jun 5, 2026 8-K flo-20260604.htm View →
Jun 2, 2026 8-K flo-20260529.htm View →
Jun 1, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →
Jun 1, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about FLO

What is the AI rating for FLO?

Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO) has a Combined AI Grade of C from Claude (C) and ChatGPT (B) with 80% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are FLO's key strengths?

Claude: Positive free cash flow generation of $87.2M annually demonstrates core operational cash conversion. Established packaged food brand portfolio with 5.1% operating margin in competitive sector. ChatGPT: Strong operating cash flow and free cash flow generation relative to revenue. Large, established revenue base with flat top-line performance indicating demand resilience.

What are the risks of investing in FLO?

Claude: Critical liquidity position with current ratio of 0.77x and quick ratio of 0.57x; cash reserves of only $11.5M against $1.7B long-term debt creates financial fragility. Massive 65.8% year-over-year EPS decline combined with stagnant revenue signals operational deterioration and margin compression. ChatGPT: Net income fell 66.2% year over year, indicating significant earnings pressure. Current ratio of 0.75x and quick ratio of 0.54x reflect weak near-term liquidity.

What is FLO's revenue and growth?

Flowers Foods Inc. reported revenue of $1.6B.

Does FLO pay dividends?

Flowers Foods Inc. pays dividends, with $54.4M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find FLO SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Flowers Foods Inc. (CIK: 0001128928) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is FLO's EPS?

Flowers Foods Inc. has a diluted EPS of $0.20.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

What is FLO's fundamental grade?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, Flowers Foods Inc. has a C grade with 80% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.

Is FLO stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for FLO: ROE of 3.2% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of 2.7% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

What is FLO's AI grade for 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Flowers Foods Inc. a combined C grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is FLO's free cash flow?

Flowers Foods Inc.'s operating cash flow is $107.9M, with capital expenditures of $20.6M. FCF margin is 5.6%.

How does FLO compare to other Consumer stocks?

Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin 2.7% (avg: 8%), ROE 3.2% (avg: 18%), current ratio 0.77 (avg: 1.5).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: May 22, 2026 | Data as of: 2026-04-25 | Powered by Claude AI